Historical Marker

Tompkins County Civil War Memorial

Historical marker location:
DeWitt Park, Ithaca, New York
( Memorial is at the intersection of Buffalo Street and Cayuga Street, on the left when traveling east on Buffalo Street.)
Marker installed: 1988

When Needed They Served. Grand Army of the Republic 1861 • 1865

  A brief timeline of the Civil War

  • April 12, 1861: The Civil War begins with the Confederate attack on Fort Sumter, located in South Carolina's Charleston Harbor.

  • April 15, 1861: President Abraham Lincoln issues a call for 75,000 volunteers to serve in the Union Army to suppress the rebellion.

  • May 24, 1861: The first major land battle, known as the First Battle of Bull Run (or First Battle of Manassas), takes place in Virginia. It ends in Confederate victory.

  • September 17, 1862: The Battle of Antietam in Maryland becomes the bloodiest single-day battle in American history, with heavy casualties on both sides. The Union forces, commanded by General George McClellan, manage to halt Confederate General Robert E. Lee's advance into Union territory.

  • January 1, 1863: President Lincoln issues the Emancipation Proclamation, declaring that all slaves in Confederate-held territories are to be set free. However, the proclamation does not immediately free all slaves in the United States.

  • July 1-3, 1863: The Battle of Gettysburg in Pennsylvania takes place, resulting in a significant Union victory and inflicting heavy casualties on Confederate forces. It marks a turning point in the war.

  • November 19, 1863: President Lincoln delivers the Gettysburg Address, emphasizing the principles of liberty, equality, and the preservation of the Union.

  • April 9, 1865: General Robert E. Lee surrenders to Union General Ulysses S. Grant at Appomattox Court House in Virginia, effectively ending the Civil War.

  • April 14, 1865: President Lincoln is assassinated by John Wilkes Booth while attending a play at Ford's Theatre in Washington, D.C.

  • May 10, 1865: Confederate President Jefferson Davis is captured, signaling the collapse of the Confederate government.

  • December 6, 1865: The Thirteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution is ratified, officially abolishing slavery throughout the country.

While this timeline provides an overview of key events, it is important to note that the Civil War spanned over four years, from 1861 to 1865, and encompassed numerous battles, campaigns, and political developments that shaped the course of American history.

Audiobooks about the history of New York.
The first American chess tournament was held in New York City in 1843, and it was won by a 21-year-old named Paul Morphy.
New York random facts
Tompkins County is located in upstate New York and is home to the City of Ithaca, which is its county seat. The region was originally inhabited by the indigenous Cayuga people, and European settlers began arriving in the late 18th century. The area was officially established as Tompkins County in 1817, named after Vice President Daniel D. Tompkins.

During the 19th century, Tompkins County experienced significant growth and development. The construction of the Cayuga and Seneca Canal in the 1820s connected the county to the Erie Canal, bringing increased trade and commerce to the area. The arrival of the railroad in the 1830s further facilitated economic growth and transportation. Agriculture became a major industry, with dairy farming, livestock raising, and fruit growing being prominent. In addition, the establishment of Cornell University in 1865 brought educational and research opportunities to the county.

Tompkins County was also known for its progressive and reformist movements in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. It became a center for the women's suffrage movement, with notable activists like Elizabeth Cady Stanton and Matilda Joslyn Gage residing in the area. The county was involved in the underground railroad, helping escaped slaves reach freedom in Canada.

In the latter part of the 20th century, Tompkins County experienced a shift towards a more diverse and knowledge-based economy. With Cornell University and Ithaca College as educational institutions, the county became known as a hub for research, technology, and higher education. Today, it continues to thrive as a center for innovation and progressive values, attracting people from various backgrounds to live and work in the area.

This timeline provides a glimpse into the major events and milestones that have shaped the history of Tompkins County, New York.

  • 1789: Tompkins County is established by the State of New York.
  • 1794: Ithaca becomes the county seat.
  • 1800: Cornell University is founded in Ithaca.
  • 1817: The construction of the Erie Canal begins, bringing economic growth to the region.
  • 1820: Tompkins County's population reaches 6,038.
  • 1845: The village of Enfield is established.
  • 1853: The Tompkins County Public Library is established.
  • 1861-1865: Many Tompkins County residents fight in the American Civil War.
  • 1901: The Taughannock Falls State Park is established.
  • 1942: The Ithaca Gun Company suspends firearm production to focus on producing military ordnance during World War II.
  • 1964: Ithaca is included in the newly created Appalachian Regional Commission.
  • 1970: Ithaca College is established.
  • 1987: The Sciencenter, a hands-on science museum, opens in Ithaca.
  • 1999: The Tompkins County Public Library moves to its current location.
  • 2016: Tompkins County establishes a Reimagining Public Safety Task Force to address community concerns about policing.